NBL Under 16s win final home game of 2013 with outstanding performance.

Dorset Storm (25, 32, 27, 29) 113

Stroud Sharks (5, 8, 10, 3) 26

Dorset Storms Under 16s National League team were in action on Saturday at Rossmore Leisure Centre. The team were playing Stroud Sharks and would be looking to put in a good performance following a disappointing second half display against Cardiff Archers last weekend.

Storm started with Deividas Liveris and Daniel Riggs in the front court whilst Christian Farah, Will Taylor and Tom Storey were in the back court. Taylor opened the scoring for Storm on the first possession of the game as he nailed a triple from the top of the key. Storm continued to move the ball and attack the basket well on offence as Storey, Taylor and Josh Westlake all added further scores before another three from Bradley Bennett gave Storm a 14 – 4 lead. A timeout from Stroud did not disrupt Storms concentration as they came out strong to finish the quarter with an 11 – 0 tear to take a commanding 25 – 5 lead by the end of the opening quarter.

Storm continue their good play in the second period as Riggs, Bennett and Farah all added scores to take the Storm run up to 18 – 0 over the two quarters. The intensity and enthusiasm was maintained throughout the quarter as Harry Jackson and Nathan Mahoney kept the scoreboard ticking over throughout the second period. Some great defensive rebounds from Liveris and Riggs made sure that Storm were reward for their good defence, where their communication was much improved from the previous week. Bennett and Mahoney scored six in a row for Storm although a couple of lapses defensively gifted Stroud uncontested lay-ups but Storm still ended the opening half in control leading 57 – 13.

Storm entered the second half with a point to prove, following last weekend’s performance against Cardiff. Farah opened the scoring from down town though Stroud responded inside and from the foul line. Taylor scored three baskets in a row for Storm, off some great defensive play which saw Farah twice and Taylor once get steals leading to points at the other end. Liveris continued to battle hard for Storm in and around the basket, and he also scored from the wing to show his good touch from the perimeter. Harvey Nichols showed his increased confidence as he first scored a baseline jumper off a great pass from Farah before finishing along the baseline a couple of possessions later. Despite picking up a bunch of early fouls Storm maintained their composure defensively and continued to make their opponents work hard for any scoring opportunity. As the quarter closed Storm once again put their foot down as they scored 10 in a row to close out the quarter with an 84 – 23 lead.

The final quarter saw Storm continue to play in an unselfish manner with no fewer than nine assists in the quarter. Every player once again made contributions at both ends of the court. Typified with some great team defense forcing a shot clock violation and Farah and Westlake helping their teammates by blocking shots inside. A strong start to the period saw Storm repeat their earlier 18 – 0 run. The team continued to play hard to the end, a marked improvement on the previous weekend. In the end Storm ran out 113 – 26 winners.

For Storm there were once again contributions from every single player – with everybody scoring, but also playing good team basketball to share the scoring and defensive workload. The defensive effort was truly relentless and the team played hard for the whole 40 minutes something that certainly impressed assistant coach Jill Kemish:

“We had a point to prove to ourselves this week. A 40 minute performance was needed and the players stepped and produced exactly that.

Defensively the players communicated much better than last week and their intensity and enthusiasm was much higher throughout.

Offensively the unselfishness of the players makes this group special and allowed them to be really effective. Five players in double figures and all 10 scoring and making big contributions is exactly what was needed.

They should be pleased with their performance today but, we need to see them bring the same intensity to training next week as they have done this week.”

Storm are on the road for their final two games of 2013 where they will need to be at their very best as they look to build on this weeks entertaining performance.

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Since 1999 Dorset Storm Basketball Club has provided opportunities for both boys and girls aged between 8 and 18 to play basketball at whatever level they want. From beginners through to those with dreams of representing England, Dorset Storm can cater for you. The club also has one of the biggest men’s and ladies team in the Southern Region, providing opportunities for players of all standards to play competitively. Coaching and officiating courses are also run in conjunction with the club. For further details on anything concerning basketball please do not hesitate to contact us.

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